Okay, now that I've got the rear end figured out let's move further up the equation to the trans: I'd like to run an overdrive since I'll probably end up with 4.11 or 3.73 gears. The choice, of late, seems to be the Borg-Warner T-5 used behind the V6 in 4.3L S-10s. That's fine and good and would look great with a '30s floorshift lever adapted to it. Personally, however, I think it would be rather interesting to run a column shifter and the postwar Ford and Mercury column is quite common around here. Now how to do it? I'm sure there were some external-shift 4-speed overdrives made in the seventies and eighties. Fat Hack's aluminum case toploader would be plenty strong behind a flattie, I'd think and I've heard about eighties Ford truck 4-speeds having overdrive. The early-fifties overdrive is an option, I suppose but they seem complicated and difficult to drive. What is the preferred trans and how do I adapt it to the flathead? I'd like to run an un-split wishbone as well, so bulk is a factor. Also, how to set up a clutch linkage using pre-'52 Ford floor-mount pedals? I can get a set from a '49 for $20 and I've heard they're a good fit with an early chassis. Oh, at this point some are probably going "Uh, Cheese, a four-speed on the column...?" A four-speed on the column is possible, I've seen it. Usually the reverse gear is controlled through shifter handle on the floor but I'd like to actuate reverse with an early-fifties Chevrolet parking brake handle (t-handle under the dash).
Actually, when I worked for Ford Light Truck we had an odd Toyota flatbed truck in our Competitive Evaluation Fleet that was right hand drive with a five speed on the column! Weird to drive at first...but kinda cool...leaves room for a passenger in the middle without him thinking you're getting too friendly when you reach for the floor shift!
Cheese, I've got one for you to do some research on. A rally racer who lived 4/5 blocks from me had a Chevy camper/van. It was a 70 something model. It had a 4spd on the column. When he told me about it I couldn't believe it until I saw it for myself. It had a regular 4spd shift pattern on the column and it was hooked to a Muncie 4sp trans behind a 350. It was not a custom installation but all of the linkage and column was factory installed. I had never seen one before nor have I since. The camper conversion was obviously an aftermarket item but not the trans. Do some research and get back to us, I'll bet every HAMBer is sitting on the edge of their seats waiting for your report. haha!!!
I'm serious now guys, what's the best and easiest overdrive to put behind an early-flathead (integral bellhousing)? Availability is an issue as well.
Ok, if I was gonna do it and keep the column shifter, I'd go with a Speedway tranny adapter [59 AB motor to chevy tranny-$200 new] and go with a full synchro 65-72 3 speed O.D. tranny, rob the O.D. off it and bolt it to your basic el-cheapo vega 4 speed saginaw tranny. Use the 3 speed levers on the 4 speed...
The Saginaw three speed OD tailshaft is pretty much the same thing as the four speed tailshaft. You only need to drill one hole to make this happen.
Hmm, this sounds like a good swap. I've really only been considering "shift and forget" fourth-gear-as-overdrive trannies but if I can hear some assurances that the tradtional-style overdrives aren't impossibly hard to drive, I might start thinking in this direction.
hard to drive? Sheeeeeeeeit! Once you get the cable and toggle switch dance scienced out, you will love having 8, that's E-I-G-H-T speeds forward. I used the old stone-age 55 chevy 3 speed o.d. in my 68 chevy shortbox with a LOUD 292 six banger. It's too cool to pull out onto the hiway in 1st gear and blast through 6 gears.....makes the troops scratch their heads in wonder. If I can do it, you can. See, I'm just a little shakey ol' man...
The Jalopy Journal
